Ice drove the all‑black armored SUV down the cracked highway, the moonlight reflecting off the calm lake that circled New Babylon. The water looked peaceful, too peaceful.They passed the old city sign, somehow still standing:WELCOME TO NEW BABYLON
Population: 17,238,248 Home of "The Revolution" Ice narrowed his eyes. "Keep your eyes open."Riot leaned forward. "Can I have a gun?" "No," Ice said flatly. "Your aim is terrible." Riot pouted. "You're no fun." Ice replied "I'm not here to have fun. I'm here to "BANG! A massive rhino‑like beast slammed into the driver's side. The SUV flipped violently, rolling over the guardrail and crashing into the lake below. Water exploded around them as the vehicle sank fast. Inside the flooding SUV, Ice groaned, blood running down his arm. His left arm hung limp broken. Worse, his seatbelt jammed tight. "Riot!" Ice shouted. "Pass me a blade!" Riot scrambled into the backseat, water rising to his chest. He grabbed a knife and slashed through Ice's seatbelt. "Let's move!" Ice barked.The water was almost at their necks. Ice grabbed the knife by the handle and smashed the driver‑side window. The glass shattered, and freezing water rushed in. Ice shoved Riot through the opening with one arm. Riot kicked upward toward the surface — but then he saw it. A massive great white shark burst from the darkness and clamped its jaws around the back end of the SUV. Riot's eyes widened. "ICE!" Ice was still inside.The shark dragged the SUV deeper into the black water, pulling Ice with it.Riot tried to dive back down, but his lungs burned. He needed air. I'm going to drown, he thought as his vision blurred and his muscles weakened. It's so close…His mind screamed. His body screamed.I have to finish!With the last spark of his will the indomitable human spirit Riot kicked upward and burst through the surface, gasping the deepest breath of his life. He swam weakly toward the shore, dragging himself onto the dirt near the broken fence. He collapsed on his back, chest heaving, staring up at the moonlit sky. A trembling whisper, he said, "Ice… please don't die." Then Riot's eyes closed, and he passed out from exhaustion.